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Spirit Airlines announced on Monday that it will furlough approximately one-third of its flight attendants. This drastic step is needed as the airline fights for survival during its second Chapter 11 bankruptcy process in less than a year. The temporary layoffs, which will affect about 1,800 flight attendants out of Spirit’s workforce of roughly 5,200 will take effect on December 1st.
The airline plans to slash its flight schedule by 25% year-over-year starting in November, cut underperforming routes, and sell off spare aircraft in the coming weeks and months. These measures are part of what CEO Dave Davis has described as a “comprehensive restructuring” aimed at returning Spirit to profitability. The downsizing will also include auctioning off airport gates and other real estate, leaving the carrier with a much leaner footprint in the United States.
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) confirmed the furlough news in a memo to members, explaining that the significant reduction in aircraft and flight hours made job cuts unavoidable. The memo states:
Together we have been able to stave off furlough announcements through this program. The problem is that the significant reduction of aircraft and flight hours requires a much higher reduction in force, and the company is clear that a furlough is necessary.”
Spirit will continue to offer voluntary furloughs to mitigate the impact. If there are not enough volunteers, the airline will issue WARN notices following a reverse seniority order, meaning “last in, first out.” The union is working to secure preferential interview slots for affected Spirit flight attendants with other US carriers.
Spirit’s struggles reflect broader challenges for low-cost carriers, as US airlines increasingly compete for premium travelers rather than budget-conscious passengers. For years, Spirit was known for offering some of the cheapest fares in the industry, but mounting losses have raised concerns that the era of low fares may be ending. Even before the second bankruptcy filing, Spirit leadership had warned employees to prepare financially, hinting that the airline’s survival was uncertain without significant restructuring.
Spirit’s current strategy represents a major pivot from just a few years ago:
- In 2022, Spirit initially agreed to merge with Frontier Airlines.
- That deal was later replaced by a proposed acquisition by JetBlue, which would have absorbed the Spirit brand entirely.
- In 2023, a federal judge blocked the JetBlue deal, ruling that Spirit’s low-cost model was essential for maintaining affordable travel options for low-income Americans.
- Now, Spirit is attempting to remain independent and rebuild its operations, even as competitors expand their networks and pursue mergers of their own.
The latest news will also hit passengers. They can expect to see reduced route options, fewer flight frequencies as Spirit trims its schedule, and potential fare increases.
Anthony’s Take: Spirit Airlines’ decision to furlough 1,800 flight attendants highlights the severity of its financial crisis and the difficult road ahead. I’m still rooting for the airline, but it’s getting harder to see a path forward.
(Image Credits: Spirit Airlines.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
